Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk have secured the transfer of highly-rated Flamengo forward Ryan Roberto, beating out interest from several European clubs including Chelsea and Newcastle United. The deal, reported by TEAMtalk, is worth approximately £10million, with Flamengo also receiving a 10 per cent sell-on clause.
The 18-year-old attacker has been a target for clubs across Europe for some time, with both Chelsea and Newcastle holding discussions regarding a potential move in recent months. Chelsea’s interest stemmed from their extensive scouting network in South America, while Newcastle were assessing emerging talents from overseas markets. However, neither Premier League side could reach an agreement with Flamengo before Shakhtar’s decisive move.
Lyon, Ajax, Monaco, Benfica, and Roma were also reportedly pursuing Roberto, who has quickly established himself as one of Flamengo’s most promising young players. His performances at both youth and senior levels have attracted considerable attention, with scouts believing he possesses the technical ability and versatility to succeed at a high level.
Shakhtar Donetsk have a well-established reputation for identifying and developing young South American talent, providing a platform for players to enhance their value before moving to Europe’s top leagues. The club has previously nurtured Brazilian stars such as Willian, Fernandinho, Douglas Costa, and Fred, all of whom used Shakhtar as a stepping stone to success in major European competitions.
Sources close to the deal indicate that Roberto and his representatives were particularly attracted to Shakhtar’s track record of developing South American players and their willingness to allow players to pursue opportunities at larger clubs when they arise. This pathway was a key factor in the negotiations, with Roberto now set to continue his development in Ukraine.
For Chelsea and Newcastle, missing out on Roberto represents a setback in their pursuit of young talent. Both clubs are expected to remain active in the South American market, but will need to identify alternative targets. The deal provides a financial boost for Flamengo, while Shakhtar have added a promising young player to their ranks, potentially for significant future profit.
